It was in 2019 when Pinjarra resident Lutz Sztermula received the shocking news that he had tumours in his throat and larynx.
"I started smoking as a kid, then about five years ago I quit for good after seeing my GP about some blood pressure issues," Mr Sztermula said.
"Then in 2019 I had a cold, but my voice just never really returned.
"I went back to the GP, and tests confirmed I had tumours in my throat and larynx."
Mr Sztermula had to have a total laryngectomy where they removed his larynx, followed by 33 doses of radiation therapy.
"I am now in the clear, but learning how to eat, speak and talk again, as well as getting used to breathing through a stoma is challenging," he said.
"There are plenty of frustrations but I am coping day to day.
"I urge anyone who still smokes to quit now, before you end up under the knife like me."
With Mr Sztermula's story being just one of many in Australia he is now backing a call by Cancer Council WA to make cancer a number one health priority.
The Cancer Council called on the next state government to continue to invest in public education campaigns such as Make Smoking History, which has recently relaunched their graphic campaign titled Voice Box.
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Make Smoking History manager Libby Jardine said the campaign was developed following concern from WA health professionals about the low awareness of the causative link between smoking and head and neck cancers.
"Research has shown that anti-smoking ads that use personal testimonies, graphic imagery, emotive messages and the negative health effects of smoking have been the most effective in prompting quit attempts," she said.
"As a result of these hard-hitting campaigns, we have saved tens of thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of lives.
"There is much the next WA government can do to prevent smoking related cancer. From continuing to fund highly successful public education campaigns, to increasing access to smoke-free environments for all West Aussies."
